Dear Friends of West Lisbon Church,
Motivated by love for our community and with a desire to be wise, here are the changes that the council has agreed to make for now. We will meet again on March 30th to revisit these decisions:
Sunday Mornings
Worship Service continues at 9am as usual and will also be live streamed via YouTube. There will be no Children’s Church or nursery offered. Sunday School is on-hold for all ages.
Wednesday Evenings
Awana, FLY, and youth group are not being held for now.
Please read on for more detail from Pastor Rex and each of our ministry leaders.
From Pastor Rex on Worship Service, Adult Sunday School, and AWANA/FLY:
Rob Scott said last night in our Council Meeting that times of crisis first appear as obstacles, but as we gain the Lord’s perspective, we soon discover all the opportunities to steward our faith and fellowship in Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit’s help. So, may “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14) during these days. May he grant you enough peace, humility, sacrifice, and love for the common good of all (Phil. 4:4-6; 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:6-8; Matt. 16:24-26; Acts 4:32).
The Sunday morning worship service will continue unchanged. While we believe we have an obligation to the Lord to open for worship, we also understand that these are unique times. In that spirit, we believe it’s also our obligation to steward the digital capabilities we now have and to provide the live stream alternative to your household. Most of all, please do not let guilt motivate any decision against your conscience. We are providing options for you; please let the Lord lead you in your decision, not guilt. I will communicate privately with worship team members about preparations.
Regarding offerings during this time, we ask that you consider (1) dropping off your offering check at the office, (2) mailing in your offering check, or (3) signing up for online giving here—https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/403899
Adult Sunday School is cancelled until further notice. Some of you have approached me about alternative ways to discuss the sermon during this time. If there is a large enough group with interest, there may be some options for that. Please contact me, through the church office (815) 736-6331 (text is fine) if you’re interested in this alternative.
AWANA and FLY are cancelled for tomorrow—Wednesday, March 18th. AWANA and FLY are already scheduled to be off during Spring Break week. For this week, Rebecca and I ask that AWANA and FLY kids complete this week’s book or journal work at home. We’ll check the work once we meet up again. For FLY, this means students should complete Week 21 Bible Discoveries. I will send out a Memory Motions video and Talk & Think Questions for you to discuss at home. Keep an eye on GroupMe, Facebook, and text messages for additional communication from Rebecca and me.
In Christ,
Pastor Rex
From: Jerry & Lois Whalen on Children's Ministry Activities and Sunday School/Nursery
Watch for a Sunday School lesson you can do with your children each Sunday! The Gospel Project has loosened their copyright restrictions and is allowing churches to share the video that goes with the lesson. Those lessons can be found on Facebook - West Lisbon Children’s Ministry. If you don’t have a Facebook page, text me, Lois, at 815-252-8979 and I can try to send it to you via email. Children’s Church will not meet. The church nursery is closed. Planning for VBS has been put on hold. We will postpone the Easter Egg Hunt until another time. If you have eggs, keep them until we can have it. We can celebrate Jesus’ resurrection any day!
From Rob Scott on JH and SH Youth Group on Wednesdays and Sunday School
Youth Group and Jr. High and Sr. High Sunday School are shut down for the next two weeks and we will update you as council and leadership determine the course of action. Barb & I and the team are considering alternative ways to minister during this time to the sometimes more than 50 students who attend Youth Group.
From Mark Johnson on Member-to-Member Care
We are very aware that many may not feel comfortable leaving their homes for any purpose. If this is you, then please let us help you. We have several who have volunteered to team-up in order to provide everything from errands to deliveries and even counsel you through anxieties. If in need of care and help, please contact Mark Johnson through the church office at (815) 736–6331.
In Christ,
WLC Council
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